James McGowan knew his voice was gruff and unapologetic. That’s how he usually got his way. “Tell us what happened.”

The boy continued to stare at his own hands, he couldn’t see anything else. McGowan couldn’t even tell whether he’d heard the question or not. The boy just kept staring at his damn hands. The officer rolled his eyes. One of these. And he swore, the sons of bitches got younger every year. Or maybe that was a sign of him getting old.

“Alberto?” his partner, Jean O’Hair asked. “Di...